Internship Projects

In 2008, there has been a research on a field test which can predict pregnancy in wildlife, by using feces.  Now we take blood (during immobilization of the animal) and send these samples to South-Africa.  This is both time-consuming and costly. We would like to try these field tests, and compare it to the blood results to find out whether this would be a better method for us to determine pregnancy in our wildlife.  During feeding we regularly see them defecating, so collecting feces should not be a problem.     

We have started a Lucerne field in one of our wildlife camps. It seems that this has affected the movement and breeding of the animals in at least one camp. We would like to know how large the effect is. What is the effect on breeding and distribution? We have data on where the animals have been feeding, who walked with who, who has calved and from who. 

We would like to know how high the worm burden of our wildlife is. This can be done by examining worm eggs in the faces under a microscope.

Does the worm burden differ per camp?  According to literature, what is an acceptable burden and when should you deworm? 

In the dry season, our wildlife is supplemented with a specially mixed food and Lucerne.  We would like to compare the contents of the food with literature.  Do the animals get what they need? How does this differ with the wild vegetation?     

What determines good animal genetics?  Is there any literature on this topic? 

Grass analyzing, bush encroachment and weeds as well as poisons plants all needs to be managed.

The carrying capacity of the 32427 acers need to be done on a yearly basis to ensure that the correct number of species and specie diversity is held.

We would like to receive advice about our fences. What can we do to make sure small antelope can go through, but  large game not?

Is there also something we can do to prevent them from getting the poles out? Is there something to deter them, besides electricity?